Tinley Park Star, April 7, 1994: Difference between revisions
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This is the kind of wordplay that drove nasal-voiced, Buddy Holly look-alike Elvis Costello beyond his punk rockin' peers 15 years ago, and it's the spark that still sets an Elvis Costello three-chord rock song apart from anyone elses. | This is the kind of wordplay that drove nasal-voiced, Buddy Holly look-alike Elvis Costello beyond his punk rockin' peers 15 years ago, and it's the spark that still sets an Elvis Costello three-chord rock song apart from anyone elses. | ||
But while his barbed tongue has | But while his barbed tongue has always been in evidence, over the past few years Costello has used more studio gloss and tricks to augment his writing on albums like ''Spike'' and ''Mighty Like a Rose'' (not to mention his little adventure ''The Juliet Letters'' with The Brodsky Quartet last year). The polish at the same time sacrificed the raw energy that best showcases his lyrical wit. | ||
The idea for ''Brutal Youth'' was born when Costello was laying down rough demos of songs written for Wendy James' solo album (released last year). At the studio where he'd one his early records, he rediscovered the "sound" that made him and the Attractions famous in the early '80s. | The idea for ''Brutal Youth'' was born when Costello was laying down rough demos of songs written for Wendy James' solo album (released last year). At the studio where he'd one his early records, he rediscovered the "sound" that made him and the Attractions famous in the early '80s. | ||
Rounding up his old bandmates Nick Lowe, Pete Thomas, Bruce Thomas and Steve Nieve, Costello returned to that old studio and cut ''Brutal Youth'', an album that evokes both nostalgia for that vibrant early '80s new wave sound and excitement. This is the kind of basic rock 'n' roll that nods heads, stomps feet and sets lighters blazing. Guitar, | Rounding up his old bandmates Nick Lowe, Pete Thomas, Bruce Thomas and Steve Nieve, Costello returned to that old studio and cut ''Brutal Youth'', an album that evokes both nostalgia for that vibrant early '80s new wave sound and excitement. This is the kind of basic rock 'n' roll that nods heads, stomps feet and sets lighters blazing. Guitar, bass, drums, dashes of circus-like organ or piano — and Costello's trademark pipes. That's all he uses, and it's all he needs. | ||
bass, drums, dashes of circus-like organ or piano — and Costello's trademark pipes. That's all he uses, and it's all he needs. | |||
''Brutal Youth'' leads off with its best tracks: "Pony St.," "Kinder Murder" and the single "13 Steps Lead Down" all sound | ''Brutal Youth'' leads off with its best tracks: "Pony St.," "Kinder Murder" and the single "13 Steps Lead Down" all sound like vintage Costello and the Attractions. | ||
like vintage Costello and the Attractions. | |||
The pace lays off for the quieter "This Is Hell" and the Van Morrison-ish "Clown Strike" (the latter of which includes a wonky little bass riff). And "You Tripped at Every Step" stands up alongside great Costello introspections as "Everyday I Write the Book" and "The Only Flame in Town" with a gently leading bass, lounge piano and call repeat vocal backups. | The pace lays off for the quieter "This Is Hell" and the Van Morrison-ish "Clown Strike" (the latter of which includes a wonky little bass riff). And "You Tripped at Every Step" stands up alongside great Costello introspections as "Everyday I Write the Book" and "The Only Flame in Town" with a gently leading bass, lounge piano and call repeat vocal backups. |
Latest revision as of 06:11, 14 July 2019
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